Speech [The crimes of the Shah's regime and the divine duty of the seminaries]

Please give my regards to the `ulama' of Shiraz, especially to Ayatullah Mahallati. «1» Kiss His Eminence's hand for me and say:" You suffered much; your imprisonment and your efforts will never be forgotten; the thirteen days you spent in a place which is made for the ruffians will be remembered by the Master of the Age (may God Almighty expedite his advent)." Now you should know and inform the honorable people of Fars province and other places that they cannot advance, control the emotions of the Muslims or destroy Islam by using bayonets, killing and imprisoning and other brutal actions which are not practiced anywhere in the world today, not even in Africa or other places. They will be defeated. Now they have made a more prominent plot. It is not killing, imprisoning, or other harsh treatments for the time being. Of course, there was nothing wrong with it. Let them arrest everyone, take everyone away, kill some people. There will be still some more and more; but their major plan is to engender disparity between the `ulama' and the Islamic nation. They want to pretend that the `ulama' agree with the Shah's revolution so that they turn people away from them and deprive the `ulama' of their public support. Please tell Ayatullah Mahallati and the other `ulama' of Shiraz to notify the tullab of this and to unify the people. Be wary and watchful. Inform all people that they are the enemies; enemies of Islam; enemies of the whole nation.

The Prophet of Islam was an Arab. We have no disagreement, and we should not be dispersed. There is no difference between our younger and older ones. No one is higher or lower than the others are; prior or posterior to others. We all belong in the same rank. We are all rising for the sake of Islam and God, and it should be for God's sake too, not for the sake of the world.

No one ranks above the other. It is not just the duty of the seminary but everybody is responsible. They thought Islam was dead as well, when Ayatullah Buroujerdi died. They were wrong; they are mistaken. The Prophet, `Ali and the other Imams(`a ) all passed away but Islam remained. Khomeini will also die. My life is coming to an end. There remain only a few days of my life. You young tullab and the scholars, have to carry on. I will die; others will take over. They will depart and some one else will take over again. It is Islam that should be protected. Hand kissing, putting up someone's pictures, or using titles before or after somebody's name does not matter at all Seminaries should be all useful to Islam. If the Seminary does not prove to be useful for Islam, it will be futile, worthless. It is the religious obligation for everyone, for all orators and all Muslims to inform the people, because the basis of Islam is in danger. We all concur in the essentials. Are there any secondary things at all to disagree about? Are they not sure that Islam is in danger? Nobody should recommend silence. Nobody should think it is advisable.

I suffer from seeing some excessive prejudices. When I hear some of the young tullab's ideas, it gives me a headache. What is this superstition about my picture? People will destroy even Khomeini, if he doesn't work honestly for the sake of God ... One should seek God's satisfaction, and working for the spirituality of the people, not for the worldly gains. By God, that those who kept silent- who will also lose their worldly gain- will become wretched. People esteem religion. The `ulama' and clergymen are servants of the religion, so they are liked by all. But if the people know that their effort is for the gain of the world and out of ambition or the like, they will not pay them any attention. I any more cannot collect the money and give it to tullab while people are hungry and miserable and the religion is being destroyed. They( tullab )should destroy and forsake me if I do that. People are quite aware. Faithful people need a person who serves the religion; they will like him who is more prominent. People like us because of religion. They express their fondness because they are fond of religion. Those who try to cause division among the `ulama', people, and in the religion are badly mistaken. Their intentions have been revealed to us. Sayyid Diya' «2» has told the Shah that it has been a mistake to arrest this man and another mistake to release him.

Although our press does not write about it, the foreign press does. I receive the news of their becoming scandalized abroad. It was proved to the whole world how the people hate them. Whosoever tries to deceive people is a traitor. The press here is a traitor. Answering my telegram, His Eminence Ayatullah al-`Uzma Khou'i, has made a big mistake. He had expressed what he meant in a few sentences and had refuted my words. He has said," The `ulama' have not understood the truth of Islam. I understand the philosophy of Islamic laws." He has said that the Prophet wished for equality of rights [between man and woman]. They (the government) don't mean social justice when they talk about the equality of rights. Maybe if the `ulama' become quite, they will start talking about inheritance, divorce and equality in other rights. They are the enemies; you have to unite. Leave your disputes. Do not be afraid of imprisonment. Elimination of Islam is «3» Islam has to be preserved, as well as the Qur'an. It doesn't matter if Khomeini is lost; if someone else is lost. Our aim is to preserve Islam and the Qur'an, not our worldly lives. We all have the same goal. We all share the same thing. There is no disagreement among us, and there should not be. I thank the whole nation of Iran, especially the `ulama' and the clergymen, as well as the people of Fars Province, its clergymen and `ulama'. May God assist all and make them victorious.

May God's peace, mercy and blessings be upon you.